Lakshadweep islands

The spell bound expanse of emerald isles, Lakshadweep, studded in the blue water of the Arabian Sea unfolds another world in itself. The panorama encompasses magnificent lagoons, sylvan sea shores, miles of sun drenched sand and the enchantment of swaying palms, spectacular marine flora and fauna, All these harmonise to form a colourful kaleidoscope typical of an archipelago paradise.
These enchanting coral islands in the Arabian Sea were called the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi islands, though they were popularly known as the Laccadives or Lakshadweep (hundred thousand islands). The territory was officially named Lakshadweep on 1 November 1973. The Lakshadweep islands had been declared a Union Territory of India in 1956.

The archipelago consists of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, about 185 miles (300 km) off the Kerala coast. It consists of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks.

The atolls poised on submarine banks, harbour these islands with a total area of 32 square km (12 square miles). The islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India and the country’s only coral islands. . Of its twenty-seven islands, only ten are inhabited. Recently a previously uninhabited island, Bangaram, has been developed by the administration for promoting tourism. In Pitti island, which is uninhabited and is located only 24 km from Kavarathi, crows(absent elsewhere in the islands)and many other birds are found. Pitti has been declared a bird sanctuary
Though the land area is extremely small, its lagoon area of about 4,200 sq km, 20,000 sq km of territorial waters and about 7,00,000 sq km of economic zone, if considered, Lakshadweep is one of the largest territories of our nation.
The coral atolls have two important mineral deposits— the phosphate deposits (guano) in the islands and the calcium carbonate in the lagoons. The lagoons and the adjacent areas of Lakshadweep are found to have algae which is of great economic importance.

The surface soil of coral sand contains 95 per cent calcium, hence most of the islands are barren with little spontaneous vegetation. However, the soil and the climatic conditions are ideal for coconut cultivation, and coconut therefore forms the staple product. Coconut is the spine of the island economy, with copra and coir forming the major export items, besides fish.

However, the marine life of a coral sea is very elaborate and colourful.
Tuna, shark, sailfish, seer, flying fish, turtles, etc., are found in the Lakshadweep sea area. Out of total fish catch, 80 per cent is of tuna. Turtles are of two types, green turtles and hawksbills The importance of molluscan forms cannot be overlooked since they are magnificent in appearance and important from the economic point of view for the islanders. The money cowrie is abundant in the shallow waters of the lagoons and on the reefs. Cowries are picked up from the reef area at low tide, mainly by the womenfolk during their spare time, and are largely sold on the mainland.
The early inhabitants of the islands are believed to have been Hindus who migrated from the Malabar Coast. Later they were converted to Islam by an Arab saint and are now Muslims. They were declared a Scheduled Tribe as per the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes List (Modification) Order, 1956
Laksdhadweep is already on the tourism map of India. A visit to the island is an enriching and rewarding experience.